Slides of a presentation given as part of an AATF session at ACTFL 2010 in Boston, MA. Anyone interested in more information should contact the author.

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Mobile Apps for Language
and Culture
AATF@ACTFL 2010
Boston, MA

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What are mobile apps?
 Programs that run on smartphones and other small-format
computing platforms
 iPhone and iPod Touch (iOS)
 iPad
 Android OS (Google)
 Blackberry
 Nokia
 Windows Mobile
 Nintendo DS (particularly for Japanese)

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iPhone vs. iPod Touch
 iPhone
 GPS
 Can do Augmented Reality
 Better camera
 iPod Touch (4th generation)
 No GPS
 Limited Augmented Reality
 Lower-quality camera
 Built-in mic
 iPod Touch (previous generations)
 No camera
 First generation = no recording capability

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Why mobile apps?
 Immersion in ‘everyday’ culture
 Different perspectives on news
 Use of language outside the classroom
 Content for specific interests
 Sports
 Health
 Travel
 Business
 Food
 Ideal for transition from intermediate to advanced

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Where to find apps?
https://sites.google.com/site/workshopsandpresentations/actfl-2010

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Finding French apps?
 There’s an app for that! and
more than one site…
https://sites.google.com/site/wor
kshopsandpresentations/actfl-
2010/applisenfrancais
 www.i.voixdargent.com

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Logistics
 The cost of apps
 Many have ‘lite’ versions that can be used in class
 App Store Volume Purchase Program
 Compare to cost of texts
 Availability in class and out of class
 Ideal: everyone in class has one
 ‘Pool’ for classroom use
 Use in pairs, with students who have sharing with students who do not
 Teacher has one that is passed around for small-group work
 Individual tasks as homework with computer-based alternatives

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Activities
 Comprehension and discussion
 Popular culture
 Popular language
 Media literacy
 Compare commercials
 Compare publications
 Radio France
 Compare texts and podcasts

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Utilities
 Pense-bête
 Météo
 Soldes
 Code de la Route
 Secours
 InfoPandémie

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Travel
 Transportation
 Toulouse
 Métro
 City Guides
 Restaurant Guides
 Official Warnings
 Voyageurs

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What next?
 AATF app evaluation / activity site?
 http://sites.google.com/site/workshopsandpresentations/actfl-
2010
 Information about other platforms
 Link with work on games in
language learning